Praise for Declan Burke: “Burke shows again that he’s not just a comic genius, but also a fine dramatic writer and storyteller.” – Booklist. “Proust meets Chandler over a pint of Guinness.” – Spectator. “Among the most memorable books of the year, of any genre.” – Sunday Times. “A hardboiled delight.” – Guardian. “Imagine Donald Westlake and Richard Stark collaborating on a screwball noir.” – Kirkus Reviews. “A cross between Raymond Chandler and Flann O’Brien.” – John Banville.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

The Boyne In The Striped Pyjama Party

'Twas as inevitable as death 'n' taxes - John Boyne's runaway crossover smash, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, is getting the silver screen treatment. Miramax have commenced filming in Hungary, with Mark Herman (Little Voices, Hope Springs) adapting and directing. David Thewlis stars as the 'Out With' concentration camp commander, with young Asa Butterfield debuting as his son, Bruno, and Jack Scanlon in the eponymous role. As for the killjoys who castigated the book for not conforming to their perception of what a novel about the camps should be - Boyne's a talented writer, people, and if he'd wanted to ape Primo Levi, he could have done it in his sleep.